Predicting the Entire 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament Bracket | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Sophia Dalton Date/Time: Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET
Is this the greatest play-in game yet?
Heat-Sixers is rich with storylines and star power, with both teams looking to shake off frustrating regular seasons and make a serious run at the 2024 title. The winner gets to avoid the Boston Celtics in the first round, a major prize in and of itself.
Playoff Jimmy Butler is back and should be highly motivated to play his former team and against Tobias Harris. Joel Embiid is looking better by the day in his return from a meniscus injury and finished the regular season with 33.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 blocks over his final three contests while knocking down 55.6 percent of his threes.
There's also the Kyle Lowry factor, as the veteran point guard began the year in Miami yet was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in the Terry Rozier deal and eventually signed with Philly. There's no doubt head coach Nick Nurse will be picking his brain while putting together the game plan.
Matchup to Watch: Joel Embiid vs. Bam Adebayo
Adebayo is one of the game's best defensive centers, but even prime Bill Russell would struggle to contain Embiid. Able to work from the post, face up and drive or knock down threes, Embiid is dangerous from all areas of the court and will need to at least be held in check somewhat for Miami to have a chance.
The good news? Embiid's lifetime scoring average of 23.9 points per game against Miami is his third-lowest against any franchise.
X-Factor: Terry Rozier
Rozier, Miami's big in-season pickup, has missed the team's last four games with a neck issue and is questionable for this game. The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson states that there is "cautious optimism" that Rozier will play.
The new Heat core four of Butler, Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Rozier have shared the floor for just 241 total possessions this season, registering a net rating of minus-2.1. Against Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Harris and company, this lack of experience together will cause them to play for the No. 8 seed instead.
Prediction: 76ers win and claim No. 7 seed; Heat play Chicago Bulls for No. 8 seed